Home for Our Wild Ones

Help Build Wildlands’ New Animal Care Facility at the Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary

Our education ambassador animals are the heart of Wildlands Conservancy’s environmental education programs – inspiring more than 30,000 people annually, including thousands of children in classrooms and on field trips. These interactions build empathy, encourage respect for wildlife, and foster the next generation of environmental stewards. 

Constructed in 2011, Wildlands’ current Animal Care Facility has long served as the heart of our education program—providing a safe, enriching home for rescued wildlife that inspire thousands each year through hands-on conservation learning. These animals, unable to return to the wild, are ambassadors for nature, helping people of all ages, especially children, connect deeply with the natural world.  

Wildlands Conservancy is raising $200,000 to Support

The Pat Waller Animal Ambassador Center

– an All-New Animal Care Facility –

Support the care of our animal ambassadors with their new facility which will include: 

  • Spacious enclosures and areas to support enrichment and wellness 
  • Climate-controlled comfort and safety with dedicated spaces for mammals, reptiles, and birds of prey 
  • ADA-accessible features so volunteers and staff of all abilities can support animal care 

MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

DONATE

Your gift will support the construction of a new Animal Care Facility and provide essential resources—from enclosures and enrichment tools to daily nutrition—ensuring our animal ambassadors thrive. 

Any funds raised above $200,000 will support the annual care of our education animal ambassadors.

Gifts of $10,000 or more provide special naming opportunities for the building, and gifts of $2,500 or more will be listed on the campaign page for the duration of the campaign.  Naming opportunities are limited and subject to Wildlands’ naming policies. For more information, contact Elizabeth Dugan, Chief Advancement Officer, at edugan@wildlandspa.org. 

  • educator with skunk
  • at Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
red tailed hawk

A Community of Support

Wildlands Conservancy acknowledges the giving community for their support of our Animal Care Facility.

SANCTUARY VISIONARY

Patricia and Francis Waller

HABITAT FOUNDER

Brooke and Stuart Rogers


AMBASSADOR CHAMPIONS

The Petrozelli Family – Matt, Erika, Max, Emma

HABITAT STEWARD


FRIENDS OF WILDLIFE


SUPPORTER

Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hunsicker

Be Inspired by Friend, Supporter, Animal Lover and Environmental Education Champion, Pat Waller

Pat Waller is longtime supporter, volunteer, past board member, and champion for environmental education.

Her heart for Wildlands Conservancy’s environmental education mission inspired her to commit a legacy, foundational gift to help build an all-new home for our education animal ambassadors, aptly naming our soon-to-be new facility the Pat Waller Animal Ambassador Center.

GIVE TODAY

  • Environmental Education for Future Generations

    Science has long been important to me. Biology was my gateway to curiosity and my eventual career. My early connections with the natural world led me to become a biology teacher and environmental educator. When I think of a child coming eye to eye with an owl, or understanding misunderstood creatures like snakes, it’s inspiring to think about the futures that are being made possible by these very moments.

    These moments happen because of Wildlands, and my legacy investment in the new animal care building will help Wildlands’ animal ambassadors have the home they need right now, while educating the conservation leaders of tomorrow, right here at home. This means so much to me, and I hope the community will help uphold Wildlands’ environmental education promise not just today, but for generations to come.
     
    Pat Waller
    Sanctuary Visionary